Running-gear for flying-machines.



G. c. MOORE. RUNNING GEAR FOR FLYING MACHINES. APPLICATION FILED MAR-2% I918.

1,275,973. Patented Aug. 13, 1918.

WITNESSES" V Ill/VENTOR I GEORGE C. MQORE, 0F WESTERL'Y, RHODE ISLAND.

RUNNING-GEAR FOR FLYING-MACHINES;

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Aug. 13, 191 8.

Application filed March 23, 1918. Serial No. 224,281. I

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE C. MOORE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Westerly, in the county of Washington and State of Rhode Island, have invented 'a new and Improved Running-Gear for Flying- Machines, b f whichthe following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to running gears for flying machines and is characterized by means whereby said runnlng gear may be rendered rigid with the flying machine or yielding relative thereto.

An object of the invention is to provide a simfple, eflicient and inexpensive running gear or flying machines which will permit an easy starting and a safe landing.

With the above and other objects in View, the nature of which will more fully appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arran ement of parts as herein fully described, illustrated and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of the application, similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a flying machine provided with a running gear embodying my invention;

Fig. 2, a fragmentary front elevation of a flying machine equipped with a running gear embodying my invention, the propeller of the flying machine being removed to show the details of construction; and.

Fig. 3, a side elevation of a modified structure of a running gear for flying machines embodying my invention.

Referring to the drawings, 4' are the wheels which are mounted to revolve at the lower end of the running gear frame 5. The frame between the ends !is connected to a fuselage 6 by means of a rod which permits the frame to swing. The upper part of the frame is disposed on each side of the fuselage whereat elastic members 8 are provided, one end of each being secured to the corresponding end of the frame, and the other end, to a member 9 anchored to the fuselage. The elastic members, therefore,

' normally resist the movement of the frame in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 1, that is, the movement of the wheels 4 toward the rear end of the machine.

This provision of the elastic members 8 allows the frame 5 to swing in the fusebers 8 the swinging movement of the frame is limited by inelastic bandslO connected to the upper ends of the frame 5 and adapted to be wound on drums 11 which are revolubly mounted in the members 9. The two drums are preferably mounted to revolve with a common shaft 12 onwhich a worm gear 13 is provided and constrained to revolve with the shaft. A worm 14: in mesh with the worm wheel can be operated from the pilots seat so as to wind the bands 10 tightly and bring the frame against stops 15 and thereby render the frame immovable or rigid with the fuselage of the machine. This renders the elastic members inoperative and, therefore, allows the starting of the machine, for when the machine is to be started it is necessary to have a rigid connection between the running frame and'the fuselage of the machine.

By paying out the inelastic bands 10, the angular displacement or swing of the running gear frame 5 may be varied, but the slack that may be given to the bands 10 never exceeds the maximum stretch of the elastic members 8.

In place of the elastic members 8 coil springs 16 may be used (see Fig. 3). In addition, to break the running speed of the machine when landing, runners 17 may be provided on the frame 5' which extend from the frame forward of the wheels 4., but which are normally above the ground and which will be brought against the ground and ride thereonwhen in landing the running gear of the machine is thrown rearwardly, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. The engagement of the runners with the ground will necessarily reduce the speed of the machine and thereby obviate any mishaps that may occur dueto the impossibility of breaking up the runswinging movement of the gear, means for limiting the swinging'movement of the gear, and for rendering said yieldlng means 1noperative whereby the gear is prevented from-swinging, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a flying machine, a swinging running gear, yielding means for arresting the swinging movement of the gear, inelastic bands connected to the gear, and means for winding and unwinding said bands whereby the swinging movement of the gear is controlled substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a flying machine, arunning gear having a frame pivoted between the ends thereof, wheels revolubly mounted at the lower ends of the frame, yieldin means connecting the upper ends of the rame to the machine, inelastic bands associated with the upper ends of the frame, and means for winding and unwinding said bands whereby said frame may be prevented from swinging and the swinging movement of the frame varied substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In a flying machine, a running gear having a frame pivoted between the ends thereof, wheels revolubly mounted at the lower end of the frame, yielding means connecting the upper end of the frame to the machine, means controlling the yielding means whereby the displacement of the frame is limited, and runners extending forward of the frame above the wheels adapted to come in contact with the ground after the frame is swung to its limit against the resistance of the yielding means.

5. In a flying machine, a running gear mounted to move toward the rear end of the machine, yielding means resisting said movement of the gear, and means for varying the rearward displacement of the gear including means for connecting the gear rigidly to-themachine to prevent a rearward movement of said gear.

6. In a flying machine, a running gear mounted to move toward the rear end of the machine, yielding means arresting the rearward movement of the gear, and adjustable means for varying the effect of the yielding means or for rendering said yielding means inoperative, whereby the rearward movement of the gear may be varied or prevented.

GEORGE O. MOORE. 

